SAN ANTONIO -- A family is mourning the loss of their son and the Bexar County Sheriff's Office has a deadly officer-involved shooting on its hands.
Early Sunday morning, Jose Alberto Guerra was shot and killed by a Bexar County deputy on the west side.
The department says it was self defense, but the family is calling it murder. The Guerra family says what the department is saying about their son is just flat out wrong.
"Murdered by a 26-year veteran. This coward found it necessary to use deadly force against my unarmed 19-year old son!" Joe Guerra exclaimed.
But the department says the deputy had no choice.
"Whenever an officer feels there is imminent danger where he might be injured or killed, or another person might be injured or killed, he is authorized to use deadly force," said Det. Louis Antu.
Guerra says Jose was at his brother's house prior to the shooting.
"So he had been at my son Aaron's house attending a birthday party, and he had some type of argument over politics," he said.
Guerra says that's when Jose walked to a gas station. Witnesses say Jose was making a scene. Jose then took a turn down Culebra Road.
That's where he was approached by a deputy. The Sheriff's Office says Jose made a move to push the deputy into oncoming traffic and the deputy pulled out his gun.
"Four times. He shot him four times -- and he hit him three times! That shows you what kind of shot he is -- at point-blank range," said the grieving father.
His parents say at 19 years old and some time with the Army under his belt, Jose still wanted to serve. Neighbors said Jose Guerra was a nice guy, and never menacing.
"He said, 'I just want to make it to 20 so I can apply for the police department.' I said, 'OK, baby, you just turned 19 you've got another year, you'll be alright.'" mom Linda Carranza recalled.
Now the family will have their son buried at Fort Sam National Cemetery.
"No Bexar County deputy is allowed to set foot near the funeral," said Jose's father.
The family says once they lay their son to rest, they plan on taking legal action against the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
